A Ski with Smarts November 22, 1997 | Volume 152 | Number 21 Cover: Designers are increasingly using microelectronics and smart materials, materials that have controllable properties, to minimize unwanted vibrations. Here, a control curcuit inside K2 Corp.'s smart ski trims vibrations and helps keep the edge of the ski in contact with the snow for skier Glen Plake. (Photo: Carl Yarbrough)

Dental Sealant Safety Reconsidered

A test-tube study suggests little reason for concern over hormone-mimicking materials leaching from dental sealants.

Material may help batteries hold a recharge

The use of amorphous manganese oxyiodide as a cathode may solve a variety of problems that plague rechargeable batteries.

Muscle-bound cattle reveal meaty mutation

Mutations in the gene encoding a protein called myostatin produce cattle and mice with abnormally large muscles.

Unusual fish threat afloat in the Atlantic

The Atlantic waters of Georges Bank are thick with floating, gelatinous organisms that normally live anchored to rocks but may be competing with or even preying on fish larvae.

Namibian fossils reveal ancient oddities

An organism shaped like a miniature revolving door raises questions about life a half-billion years ago.

Birds may find way with cognitive map

A bird known as Clark's nutcracker can learn to navigate according to the geometric relationship between pairs of landmarks to find seed-storage sites, suggesting that it uses mental representations of its surroundings.

Protein shells out guidance to crystals

A specially synthesized protein that controls the growth of calcite could help researchers understand how mollusks make their shells.

Compromise reached on census sampling

An agreement between Congress and the White House allows the Census Bureau to test the use of statistical sampling to supplement a traditional enumeration while an expedited judicial review tackles the constitutionality of that approach.

Research Notes:

Astronomy

Farewell to Pathfinder

After failing to hear from Mars Pathfinder for more than a month, NASA decided on Nov. 4 to discontinue daily attempts to contact the craft.

New fire on Io

Jupiter's moon Io sports a new dark spot, 400 kilometers in diameter, surrounding the volcano Pillan Patera.

Articles:

Calming Bad Vibes

From microscopes to skyscrapers, smart structures help control vibration

Engineers are using computers and new classes of exotic materials to create objects that can sense their environment, process the information, then react appropriately.

The Dark Side of Immunizations?

A controversial hypothesis suggests that vaccines may abet diabetes, asthma

Epidemiological studies hint at a possible link between vaccinations and immune system disruption.

The Power of Limited Thinking

Small-scale minds may pay nonrandom dividends

The natural limitations of working memory may facilitate our ability to discern patterns that help us navigate social and physical worlds.

 

Departments:

Visit our new online bookstore

Letters:

A Selection from Letters to the Editor

For More Information on this Week's Articles:

Further Readings Sources: People to Contact

Home Page - This Week

SEARCH!

copyright 1997 Science Service